While some racing pundits, such as RSN’s Trav Noonan, believe Cosmic Crusader will “definitely win a Group 1 this spring”, that optimism isn’t shared universally.

Reflecting on Cosmic Crusader’s short-term future after his impressive victory in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes on Saturday, prominent owner John O’Neill declared that the Andrea Leek-trained gelding “cannot” win a Group 1 this Spring Racing Carnival.

“Very nice horse. Will progress but will not win a Group 1 over the spring. Cannot!” declared O’Neill on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.

“It’s a very nice horse, if it's placed right, it will keep winning. It's a lovely horse but cannot win a Group 1.”

Giddy Up host Gareth Hall didn’t share the same sentiment as the respected owner though.

Hall explained that the bay is a superior horse to Globe, who won the Group 1 Might And Power last year, stating that Cosmic Crusader could win the 1800m Underwood Stakes on September 19.

Hall: “I disagree with that.”

“If a horse like Globe won a Group 1 last year…”

O’Neill: “It can’t win a Group 1.”

Hall: “Well, it's a better horse than Globe, Cosmic Crusader.”

“He probably can't win (a Memsie). It could win an Underwood.”

O’Neill: “Oh please, stop it. Are you serious?”

“Sir Delius would pick it up and carry it. Buckaroo will pick it up and carry it.”

Hall: “Buckaroo… Please.”

O’Neill: “What's wrong with Buckaroo? It got beaten a nose in the Cox Plate last year.”

Speaking on the Bletchingly victory itself from the son of Maurice, O’Neill did hail praise on both the horse and trainer, considering Cosmic Crusader won from barrier 1.

“It was a huge win considering the walkers had a look and found lanes 1 to 4 were a little firmer than anywhere else, but very messy. So, the mail was that the rail was going to be no good,” said O’Neill.

“That horse, to get up on the inside the way it did when everyone was saying those lanes were absolutely cast (is incredible).

“And for Andrea Leek, all the punters wanted to pot and say, ‘How is Andrea Leek going to train a Group 2, Group 3, Listed or a Group 1 winner?’ I'll tell you what, she's a very, very good horse person. So good on her.”

Click here to read why Cosmic Crusader’s early spring competition should be fearful.